Description
These Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick and flavorful dish featuring savory ground beef cooked with aromatic garlic, ginger, and soy-based sauces, combined with crunchy vegetables, all wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves. Perfect as a light and satisfying appetizer or main course, they offer a delicious blend of textures and Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup diced water chestnuts (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 head butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 3 minutes.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon for even cooking.
- Add vegetables and seasoning: Stir in the shredded carrots, diced water chestnuts, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, grated fresh ginger, sesame oil, along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer flavors: Cook the mixture for another 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender and the flavors to meld together.
- Remove from heat: Take the skillet off the stove to stop cooking and prepare for serving.
- Assemble wraps: Spoon the beef mixture into individual lettuce leaves, creating handheld wraps.
- Garnish: Top each wrap with thinly sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy the wraps fresh to preserve the crispness of the lettuce and the vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Water chestnuts are optional but add a nice crunch to the wraps.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and hoisin sauce.
- Butter lettuce is preferred for its softness and pliability, but iceberg lettuce can also be used.
- These wraps can be made ahead by preparing the beef mixture; assemble just before serving to keep lettuce crisp.
- Adjust the seasonings to taste, especially the soy and hoisin sauces for saltiness and sweetness.
